Chernise Yvette is a Chicago Actress, Spokesmodel, Athlete and all around inspiring person. Her YouTube channel is devoted to all topics of Lifestyle, Inspiration, and Fitness that will make you want to get out of your routine and try something new. Today she’s going to take us on a tour of her 250 sq ft micro studio here in Chicago and walk us through the thought process and design decisions you’ll need to make when you’re moving into a small space. If you love the Apartment Therapy Super Small Space House Tours or HGTV’s Tiny House, Big Living – you’ll love this video.

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Small Space Interior Design Tips

1. Keep the scale of your furniture small and make it multifunctional. Just about every manufacturer has a small scale desk, chair, dining, table, sofa etc in their collection.
2. Speaking of multifunctional furniture, choose pieces on wheels or add wheels so you can use furnishings when and where you need them then store them away when you don’t.
3. Use floor to ceiling storage options – love the mirrored storage cabinet Chernise uses that also doubles as a message center. Using all of that floor to ceiling space helps you stay organized and keeps your small space from looking… well… small. This IKEA Pax wardrobe unit with mirrored doors can also be customized with different shelving and drawer options so it can fit your every need.
4. Organize your items based on how you use them. Chernise points out that clear storage bins are key so she can see inside them. She also prefers clear stackable storage drawers like these from the Container Store, instead of stacking bins with lids, so she can easily keep things in place.
5. Furnish your space using pieces that specifically have a dual storage purpose, like a bed frame with storage or one of my very favorite IKEA pieces – the Lugnvik or the Friheten sectional sofas with storage.
6. Speaking of clear storage bins, Chernise is right when she suggests also using clear acrylic furniture. It visually disappears when not in use. These pieces from the Peekaboo collection at CB2 are perfect! Clear acrylic furnishing, on wheels, and small scaled.
7. Check out that use of color! No, all white finishes and surfaces are not going to make your small space look more spacious and open. Punctuate with color to give life to your space and even to define areas. If you’re not allowed to paint, take up wall space with a very large piece of art or visually create a large piece of art be curating a gallery wall. Take a look at these pieces from Artspace for inspiration.
8. And most importantly, edit out the clutter and keep the surfaces clear and clean. Chernise talks about becoming a minimalist and this is a good thing for you, your wallet, and the planet.

Share your small spaces with us here or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. We’d love to see your design ideas!

xo Jennifer